| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Heroes by Charles Kingsley: 'May I not bid farewell to my mother and to Dictys? And may
I not offer burnt-offerings to you, and to Hermes the far-
famed Argus-slayer, and to Father Zeus above?'
'You shall not bid farewell to your mother, lest your heart
relent at her weeping. I will comfort her and Dictys until
you return in peace. Nor shall you offer burnt-offerings to
the Olympians; for your offering shall be Medusa's head.
Leap, and trust in the armour of the Immortals.'
Then Perseus looked down the cliff and shuddered; but he was
ashamed to show his dread. Then he thought of Medusa and the
renown before him, and he leaped into the empty air.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from An International Episode by Henry James: Bessie frowned a little; her dark blue eyes were more dark than blue.
But her sister went on. "As it is, I will take the risk.
You are not in love with Lord Lambeth: I believe it, perfectly.
Very good. But is there, by chance, any danger of your becoming so?
It's a very simple question; don't take offense. I have a
particular reason," said Mrs. Westgate, "for wanting to know."
Bessie Alden for some moments said nothing; she only looked displeased.
"No; there is no danger," she answered at last, curtly.
"Then I should like to frighten them," declared Mrs. Westgate,
clasping her jeweled hands.
"To frighten whom?"
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells: peering over the combing of the hatchway. He was, I could see,
a misshapen man, short, broad, and clumsy, with a crooked back,
a hairy neck, and a head sunk between his shoulders. He was dressed
in dark-blue serge, and had peculiarly thick, coarse, black hair.
I heard the unseen dogs growl furiously, and forthwith he ducked back,--
coming into contact with the hand I put out to fend him off from myself.
He turned with animal swiftness.
In some indefinable way the black face thus flashed upon me
shocked me profoundly. It was a singularly deformed one.
The facial part projected, forming something dimly suggestive
of a muzzle, and the huge half-open mouth showed as big white teeth
The Island of Doctor Moreau |
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Door in the Wall, et. al. by H. G. Wells: recall the pleasant lines, the finely-modelled chin of her sweet
kind face--asking me questions in a soft, agreeable voice, and
telling me things, pleasant things I know, though what they were I
was never able to recall . . . And presently a little Capuchin
monkey, very clean, with a fur of ruddy brown and kindly hazel
eyes, came down a tree to us and ran beside me, looking up at me
and grinning, and presently leapt to my shoulder. So we went on
our way in great happiness . . . ."
He paused.
"Go on," I said.
"I remember little things. We passed an old man musing among
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